MOLLAND
From White's Devonshire Directory of 1850
MOLLAND is an irregularly built village, at the foot and on the side of a
bold acclivity, 7 miles E.N.E. of South Molton, and W. of Dulverton; and
its large parish contains 550 souls, and 6168 acres of land, including
about 2275 acres of open common and moorland, rising in lofty hills between
and near the sources of the river Yeo and the Duns Brook, the latter of
which divides it from Somersetshire. There is a copper mine here, but it
has been closed during the last three years. Sir Robert George
Throckmorton, Bart., owns nearly all the parish, and is lord of the manor
of Molland Bottreaux, anciently held by the Bottreaux family, and
afterwards by the Hungerfords, whose heiress carried it in marriage to a
younger branch of the Courtenays, who were seated here till 1732, when
their heiress brought it to the Throckmortons. The Bottreaux family and
succeeding owners had a mansion and park at West Molland. The manor house
of Molland Champeaux, or Champion, was long the seat of the Columbs, and
afterwards of the Courtenays. These fine old mansions are now occupied by
Messrs. James and John Quartly, who are noted for their fine breed of North
Devon cattle, for which they have obtained many prizes. The parish has much
fine grass land, suitable for breeding, though the soil is generally thin,
and rests upon rock. The Church (St. Mary,) is a handsome structure, in the
perpendicular style, with a tower and four bells. It contains several neat
monuments, belonging to the Courtenay and other families. The rectorial
tithes were given by Wm. Bottreaux to Hartland Abbey, and after the
dissolution they passed to the Courtenays. In 1721, they were vested in
trust by Thos. Clarke, for the support of a lecturer (or curate,) and that
office is now filled by the Rev. Joshua Bawden, B.A., of South Molton. The
vicarage is consolidated with that of Knowstone, as noticed at page 607.
The tithes of this parish were commuted in 1841, the rectorial for £99 and
the vicarial for £339 per annum. West Molland farm is tithe-free. The
above-named Thos. Clarke left two houses, and 15A. of land, called Leddons,
for the relief of the poor and schooling poor children, and they are now
let for about £20 a year. The poor have also the interest of £33. 10s, left
by several donors.
Bale George, vict. London Inn
Dart Wm. vict. New Inn
Frost Wm. gentleman
Gough Edward, land agent to Sir R.G. Throckmorton, Money Hole
Milton Wm. miller, Wade Mill
Pook James and John, thatchers
Venn Wm. Palmer, miller, Bottreaux
FARMERS.
Baker Henry, Abbot's Park
Baker James || Brewer James
Bucknell James, Brimley
Cockram George, Little Woods
Cockram Francis || Cole John
Cole John, jun., West Bommer
Elworthy George Hector, Beere
Elworthy John, Gourte
Fisher John, Brimblecombe
Halse John Courtenay, Pulworthy
Halse Lewis Courtenay, Bowchurch
Halse Philip, West Lee
Halse Thos. || Maunder Wm.
Hancock Thomas, Great Woods
Mogridge Richard, Copp Hall
Moore Robert, Lower hill
Pincombe John (butcher,) Cuckoo
Quartly James, West Molland Hs
Quartly John, Great Champion
BLACKSMITHS.
Dart John
Dart Wm.
CARPENTERS.
Baker John
Bale George
Beer John
Greenslade Hh.
Parkin James
DRESSMAKERS.
Greenslade Fs.
Mogridge Mary
Vicary Harriet
MASONS.
Ayre George
Snow John
SHOEMAKERS.
Chapple Robert
Clatworthy Wm.
Gardener John
SHOPKEEPERS.
Kingsland Jas.
Maunder Daniel
TAILORS.
Moore Edward
Pook Pp. & Thos.
WHEELWRIGHTS.
Baker Wm.
Mogford John
Pincombe Thos.
FOOT-POST to S. Molton, Mon. Wed. and Fri. Dalbridge Thos.
Brian Randell, 26 Aug 1999